To pull off a significant change in music, one must first be naturally gifted. BARRY MILES is. One must be well trained. He is, and finally, one must have a personal discipline so severe that the shape of things to come is never corrupted by the creator's vanity or impulse to show off. This BARRY MILES has, I think, at the level of genius.

REX REED(Stereo Review, 1969)

Words from TERRY SILVERLIGHT

The above Rex Reed quote was written in reference to Barry Miles's album, BARRY MILES, recorded in 1969, released in 1970 (Barry plays electric keyboards on this album, one of the first appearances of that instrument in a jazz ensemble). The liner notes to the album refer to the word "Syncretic" (The merging of two or more originally different inflectional forms), a philosophical term Barry applied to music before the term "Fusion Music" existed. In 1966, Barry released the album BARRY MILES Presents His New SYNCRETIC COMPOSITIONS which showcases this concept he had been developing. It was a natural progression that led him to the creation of this new music, coming upon it as a leader and pioneer, not a follower. After Barry had established himself as an active figure in the jazz community featured on major TV shows and live performances as far back as 1956, and on his 1961 debut solo artist album MILES OF GENIUS, I had the opportunity to join him as the drummer on the WHITE HEAT album in 1971. That release combined all of his past efforts and set the stage for the "fusion" music that followed.